FSC Workshop — Attraction in Suitland

So if I could rate the actual event and staff differently it would be a 1 star for staff, particularly the owner Felicia and 5 stars for her assistant and the actual mat painting class which was actually a really dope concept. Ok so long post but here goes. My friend booked a private session that required a $200 deposit which should actually be titled just straight rental fee because the “deposit” which in most cases goes towards your service or something of that nature but here it goes towards absolutely nothing it’s just a rental fee for the space. This is fine as with any “party rental” place you have to pay a fee to use their space so the wording should just be changed. Now as a black woman business owner myself, I was excited to pull up to the class to see that the owner was a black woman but my excitement quickly subsided as soon as we were greeted which was not welcoming or warming by Felicia at all! I can’t remember her assistance name I wish I did but she was awesome. Anyway my friend brought a bag of ice for the beverages that we were allowed to bring and as she was preparing to place the bag down Felicia immediately stated in a parental like tone to 2 adult women “ uh uh don’t you sit that on my floor” mind you the floor was grey hardwood like (not sure if it’s real hardwood but my office has the same floors and we get water on them all the time and how else do you clean your floors ma’am) but regardless the tone was completely unnecessary as we are being greeted. Another participant arrives who drives a convertible and on this day it was rather warm outside. Now don’t get me wrong we totally understand all the restrictions with COVID-19 and have no problem complying but it’s all on your delivery and tone. Felicia takes her temperature it reads 100 and she immediately says she can’t stay. The participant proceeded to tell her she’s been vaccinated (which there is proof of) and tried to explain how she had been sitting in her drop top with the sun beaming. Felicia then says very rudely “I don’t care nothing bout that, I care what this thermometer reads. Again policies could have been reinforced for sure but ma’am who are you taking to in this manner and this was someone’s elderly mother who was joining class so there was absolutely no respect. Now despite this unpleasant welcome by Felicia we all were still ready to enjoy class and we were so amazed at the studio. Felicia then proceeds to start her introduction to class by first telling us how the last class “stressed” her. This is not something that your current class participants would want to be greeted with to now take instructions from you. Ok we get painting going and I asked what if we want to do two mats can we? I was told yes and had to pay another $43 for another mat on top of the $43 we each had to pay that didn’t have anything to do with the $200 “deposit” but I said oh ok cool no problem how do I pay, Felicia states by cash app so I did immediately. Party is getting close to ending soon and I didn’t even get to touch my 2nd mat yet which I’m thinking ok no biggie despite how we’ve been talk to so far I really enjoyed the project we were doing and wanted to come back in hopes ghat someone else would be teaching the next class I planned to attend. So I ask Felicia what do I do since I didn’t get to paint my other mat. Initially I was not seeking a refund because again a few of us were talking about doing another class so I asked if I could leave my already paid for mat there with my name and info to do upon purchasing another class to come again. Felicia then tells me “you can go to dollar tree and get you some paint and brushes to do it” so I said “but why would I do that when I paid you to use your supplies that come with the class”? She never fully explained the differences between the private parties and the public classes which I looked up and the public classes were the same cost of $43 as we paid did this one but I paid $86 at this point. She offers to prepare paint for me to come back and pick up which I agreed but no more...

So where do I start, I booked a private drunken mat party event few weeks before the event date. The space itself was clean, organized and pleasing to the eye. Great concept in the area!

Upon arrival, temperatures were taken and I appreciated that. The first person I came in contact with was Felicia (the owner) like I told her at the end of my event her attitude was not welcoming at all, throughout 2 hours. The assistant, Dee, was great; helpful, informative, and pleasing attitude.

I had one guest pull up in a drop top vehicle (70+degree weather) so of course their forehead was hot upon entry. Felicia took her temp, it read 100.0 (yellow color on thermometer) and her reply was “oh she can’t stay in here” we asked what was the protocol; wait a few minutes, retake temp? Refund? Give credit for future visit? And we were dismissed as she walked off. The guest stated she was vaccinated and her response was “I don’t care nothing about that” So the guest stepped outside for a few minutes, retook temp and was able to stay. Cool.

Some guest wanted to do more than 1 mat, paid the additional $43 but felt rushed to complete due to the clean up that was starting around us 30min prior to event ending time; paint/brush removal from tables, etc.

1 guest didn’t touch her extra mat because our time was up, asked the protocol for finishing in the future; was brushed off only to later say, they could return at a future event and complete the mat. But it was clear that was like pulling teeth from the owner.

I would suggest that PRIVATE events should be 3hrs, especially since there’s libations and celebrating going on. Gives time for guest to finish, not feel rushed, make it enjoyable from start to finish.

For private events there is a non-refundable “deposit” that goes towards nothing. As a business owner myself, the verbiage should be changed to “rental fee” because that’s what it is. Deposits normally go towards the balance/event, if there’s damage to property, etc. So $200 “rental fee” plus each guest pays $43.

When I asked about the deposit, I was handed the owners phone as she walked away; to read the policies over again from the website. 🧐 I swear I missed that my $200 went towards nothing or I would’ve had my people just buy individual tix but I wanted the private experience. Then I was handed the phone again to read about the clean up procedures because she overheard the dislike from my guest prior to leaving. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Long story short, customer service skill training needed or maybe not be present until the end of the event and leave the professionalism to the assistants. The overall activity was great BUT the attitude of the owner wasn’t so great. What’s funny is, I heard this about her from 3 different people prior to booking but I figured maybe she was having a bad day (all 3 different occasions 🤦🏽‍♀️) either way not cool.

15 guests (14 showed) x $43 + extra mats purchased $129 + $200 “deposit”, sis received almost $1000 for 2hrs and attitude wasn’t worth a $1. Owner should’ve been smiling from ear to ear for that easy money made. Especially if the guests...

Baby…..when I tell you I found my happy place. FSC Workshop is becoming my home away from home. I first had the opportunity to attend a candlemaking class for Mother’s Day and I immediately knew I would be back. The knowledge that Felicia brings is remarkable. She know her stuff and because of her I am now a better consumer and know the reasons my candles do what they do and the technical terms associated with the science and all the things that bring me joy. I told my husband, I want to do everything. When I say everything, the list of crafts available are endless. So far, I have done candlemaking (2X), soap making, scrub making (2X), and lotion making. But there are so many other things to do….you could go every week for a month and still not do everything.I recently hosted by birthday celebration here for a private event and every detail was perfect. This is my Zen space. As a fellow crafter and business owner , I appreciate her passion to spread knowledge while supporting a fun environment to be creative. I don’t mind paying a little more than others providing similar services because she knows her stuff and walks you through every step of the process. She doesn’t cut corners like some other businesses I have considered patronizing. It is money well spent. I am learning new skills and able to make natural products for friends and family as gifts and ai can also purchase tons of very well appointed products like soap, body butters, melting body oils, and more. Don’t take my word for it, book immediately. Just don’t blame me when you become addicted. I was here yesterday and I am already looking for my next...